Advent Devotions
2018
2 December 18
Genesis 3:15 MKJV And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He will bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel.
Sin had damaged the world. Sin brought punishment—spiritual death, physical death, decay, addiction to sin, pain, suffering, etc. To the serpent, the devil, God pronounced the curses of Genesis 3:14-15. The words in verse 15 reveal the promise of destruction to the serpent and a small wound to the Messiah. These are the very first words the Lord God brought forth in love after confronting Adam and Eve. Words of a coming Messiah who would destroy the works of the devil. Today, we see much evidence breaking God’s laws (sin) and the devil’s ways has brought. But, the Messiah has come. We can rejoice in His victory over sin and death. Be thankful today for God’s promises.
Posted by Choco in 2018 at 07:47
Labels: Advent, devotions, promise of Messiah, Thankfulness
3 December 18
Isaiah 7:14 MKJV So, the Lord Himself shall give you a sign. Behold, the virgin will conceive and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call His name Immanuel.
King Ahaz of Judah was given a promise of deliverance. God challenged Ahaz to ask for a sign, but Ahaz refused, so God Himself gave it. The promised Messiah would be God-with-us. God’s desire is fellowship with us. Fellowship was lost because we sin. Fellowship was restored by the Redeemer. God didn’t need to do this; He wanted to. Be thankful for Messiah, God-with-us.
Posted by Choco in 2018 at 16:55
Labels: Advent, devotions
4 December 18
Isaiah 9:6 MKJV For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be on His shoulder; and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
This is a list of some of the abilities and offices of Messiah. Government—leader; He is the King of the universe. Wonderful—He is the miracle worker. Counselor—He is the greatest counselor. He is personal. He is interested in each individual. He listens and has perfect wisdom and knowledge. The mighty God—He is not a weak God. He is the mighty God that can do everything we need. Everlasting Father—He the perfect father that we need. God loves, cares, instructs, comforts, and disciplines us, Prince of Peace—He gives the peace in our heart that the world cannot do. Be thankful for this wonderful God.
Posted by Choco in 2018 at 05:19
Labels: Advent, devotions
5 December 18
Isaiah 61:1-3 HCSB The Spirit of the Lord GOD is on Me, because the LORD has anointed Me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to the prisoners; to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor, and the day of our God’s vengeance; to comfort all who mourn, to provide for those who mourn in Zion; to give them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, festive oil instead of mourning, and splendid clothes instead of despair. And they will be called righteous trees, planted by the LORD to glorify Him.
The Lord Jesus fulfills this passage. He has been anointed to bring us good news, heal the brokenhearted, proclaim freedom to the captives, freedom to the prisoners, to tell all people that this is a good year (the years of His reign), to punish evil, to comfort those who are sad, to give beauty, instead of the ashes of sorrow, blessing oil instead of the stains of tears, and clothes of joy, instead of despair. Be thankful that He IS this person, our Messiah.
Posted by Choco in 2018 at 07:23
Labels: Advent, devotions
6 December 18
Jeremiah 33:14-17 WEB “Behold, the days come,” says Yahweh, “that I will perform that good word which I have spoken concerning the house of Israel and concerning the house of Judah. 15 “In those days and at that time, I will cause a Branch of righteousness to grow up to David. He will execute justice and righteousness in the land. 16 In those days Judah will be saved, and Jerusalem will dwell safely. This is the name by which she will be called: Yahweh our righteousness.” 17 For Yahweh says: “David will never lack a man to sit on the throne of the house of Israel.
This, too, is a promise of the coming Messiah given to Israel. Messiah has come. His first coming was to suffer and die for each person’s sins. If we meet His conditions of trusting in Him, we have forgiveness. The second coming, as is written in our passage, is to bring justice and righteousness in the land. Obviously, this has not yet happened, but it will. We can comfort our hearts is these days of darkness because of God’s promises. Be thankful the God keeps His promises.
Posted by Choco in 2018 at 05:26
Labels: Advent, devotions
7 December 18
Micah 5:2 NKJV “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, [Though] you are little among the thousands of Judah, [Yet] out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth [are] from of old, From everlasting.”
This is another prophecy of the coming Messiah. God is specific in His foretelling. The Messiah is to be the ruler in Israel. It has not been fulfilled yet. The Lord Jesus is now head of the church, but He will return soon to restore all things that have been ruined on the earth. May all look forward to this as the wise men did: Matthew 2:1-2 HCSB After Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of King Herod, wise men from the east arrived unexpectedly in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him. Be thankful that He has promised to come and rule justly, truth, and love.
Posted by Choco in 2018 at 05:34
Labels: Advent, devotions
8 December 18
Isaiah 53:10-11 GW Yet, it was the LORD’S will to crush him with suffering. When the LORD has made his life a sacrifice for our wrongdoings, he will see his descendants for many days. The will of the LORD will succeed through him. 11 He will see and be satisfied because of his suffering. My righteous servant will acquit many people because of what he has learned through suffering. He will carry their sins as a burden.
Crushed with suffering! The suffering for breaking God’s laws. He suffered for us. Either I am punished, or I accept His substituting for me. The King dies but rises again 3 days later. God’s will is successful, for He wants fellowship with us. We were created for fellowship with Him and to serve Him forever. The greatness of His love for each person is surely noted. Thank Him for a great salvation.
Posted by Choco in 2018 at 04:59
Labels: Advent, devotions
9 December 18
Psalms 69:9 NKJV Because zeal for Your house has eaten me up, And the reproaches of those who reproach You have fallen on me.
The Psalms are written with many purposes. Many have received comfort from the Psalms for Emotions. There are some Psalm for the situation you might have, including sorrow, pain, suffering, loss, anger, happiness, worship, joy, etc. Many Psalms are also Messianic. Psalm 69 is a Messianic Psalm, which was fulfilled in John 2:13-17. The Lord Jesus, God and man, experiences emotions, too. One of which is recorded in John. He was angry (for a cause) because the Temple area, which is to be used for Gentiles to worship, was full of money making activities. He grabbed a few small ropes and used it to drive out these people and their business. We should make it a priority to be holy, too. Be thankful for God’s holiness.
Posted by Choco in 2018 at 04:56
Labels: Advent, devotions
10 December 18
Psalms 40:6-8 WEB Sacrifice and offering you didn’t desire. You have opened my ears. You have not required burnt offering and sin offering. 7 Then I said, “Behold, I have come. It is written about me in the book in the scroll. 8 I delight to do your will, my God. Yes, your law is within my heart.”
Animal sacrifices can never take away sin. My sin needs to be punished by myself or a sinless substitute. The Lord Jesus is that sinless, Passover lamb (1 Corinthians 5:7). The Lord Jesus is that obedient, willing bondservant for us. The Lord Jesus came for us, seeking us, drawing us to Him. Be thankful for His willing love for us.
Posted by Choco in 2018 at 04:24
Labels: Advent, devotions
11 December 18
Isaiah 9:1–2 NIV Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan—The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.
The are many distresses in life. The tribes of Naphtali and Zebulun are upper and lower Galilee. They have been in distress from invasions. But, Galilee will not always be in distress, for it was prophesied that “a great light” would come. This light is Messiah, the Lord Jesus, who brings light to us for understanding our condition and a healing light to our sick souls. Be thankful for the light Messiah brings to us.
Posted by Choco in 2018 at 04:39
Labels: Advent, devotions
12 December 18
Isaiah 25:8-9 NIV He will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears from all faces; he will remove his people’s disgrace from all the earth. The Lord has spoken. 9In that day they will say, “Surely this is our God; we trusted in him, and he saved us. This is the Lord, we trusted in him; let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation.
Messiah is the Hope of Israel, but not only Israel, for He is the hope of all creation. The hope of His coming, the hope of His return, the hope of resurrection, and the hope of deliverance. Hope is powerful. When hope is gone, people often become sick and die. God’s promises are steadfast; they will happen. We can have hope today. Be thankful for the hope of Messiah’s return to restore all things.
Posted by Choco in 2018 at 05:23
Labels: Advent, devotions
13 December 18
Isaiah 9:6 MKJV For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be on His shoulder; and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
The Messiah is the best counselor ever. We can tell Him anything. He does listen. Dr. George Simon writes: To be genuinely open, however, we have to accept the inevitability of pain. Moreover, if we don’t transform any pain we do experience, we’re certain to transmit it. And: In our own pain, we inflict pain on others. Most of the time, we do it unconsciously, unwittingly. The more character-impaired among us often do it deliberately. but either way, this pain infliction is an endless, vicious cycle. If nothing else, we need to start with the greatest counselor, then we can meet with a human, professional counselor (there are times professional is recommended). He will not grant everything we ask, because in love, He knows some things are not good for us. Be thankful you can tell the greatest counselor anything, and He will listen.
Posted by Choco in 2018 at 07:03
Labels: Advent, devotions
14 December 2018
Advent for 14 Dec 18
Genesis 49:10 The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until he to whom it belongs shall come and the obedience of the nations shall be his.
It is prophesied that Messiah will come from the tribe of Judah. The Lord Jesus came from the tribe of Judah. Luke 3:33 the son of Amminadab, the son of Ram, the son of Hezron, the son of Perez, the son of Judah. We can know who THE Messiah is by the prophecies in the Bible. Be thankful for prophecies which help us know who THE Messiah is.
Posted by Choco in 2018 at 5:07
Labels: Advent, devotions
15 December 2018
Advent for 15 Dec 18
Genesis 3:15 And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel. This is another fulfilled prophecy. 1 John 3:8 The one who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.
Messiah comes to destroy the devil’s works, which we all experience from sickness, war, sorrow, anger, and pain. We do not see this fulfilled today, but it will. Be thankful for Messiah who has come to destroy the devil’s works.
Posted by Choco in 2018 at 05:36
Labels: Advent, devotions
16 December 2018
Advent for 16 Dec 18
When your days are over and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, your own flesh and blood, and I will establish his kingdom. He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever (2 Samuel 7:12–13).
This prophecy was given to King David of Israel. The promise to David is that he would have a descendant who have a kingdom that will never end, that is, David would have a descendant who would be king forever. This was accomplished at the birth of Jesus: This is the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah the son of David, the son of Abraham (Matthew 1:1). Revelation 19:16 NRSV On his robe and on his thigh he has a name inscribed, “King of kings and Lord of lords. Be thankful for a great and loving King.
Posted by Coco in 2018 at 05:04
Labels: Advent, devotions
17 December 2018
Advent for 17 Dec 18
Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan—The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned (Isaiah 9:1–2).
Here is a prophecy predicting that Messiah would come from Galilee. This was fulfilled: When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he withdrew to Galilee. Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali—to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah: Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.’ From that time on Jesus began to preach, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near (Matthew 4:12–17). Be thankful that there are prophecies to help us discern who is Messiah.
Posted by Choco in 2018 at 05:12
Labels: Advent, devotions
18 December 2018
Advent for 18 Dec 18
Isaiah 61:1-3 GW The Spirit of the Almighty LORD is with me because the LORD has anointed me to deliver good news to humble people. He has sent me to heal those who are brokenhearted, to announce that captives will be set free and prisoners will be released. 2 He has sent me to announce the year of the LORD’S good will and the day of our God’s vengeance, to comfort all those who grieve. 3 He has sent me to provide for all those who grieve in Zion, to give them crowns instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of tears of grief, and clothes of praise instead of a spirit of weakness. They will be called Oaks of Righteousness, the Plantings of the LORD, so that he might display his glory.
Messiah was appointed and specially endowed (anointed) to preach the message in the passage. This was fulfilled in Luke 4:16-21. For the next 3+ years that is what the Lord Jesus did. Be thankful for the Messiah, Jesus, who came, ministered, and gave us hope.
Posted by Choco in 2018 at 07:48
Labels: Advent, devotions
19 December 2018
Advent for 19 Dec 18
Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy. Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert (Isaiah 35:5–6).
The Messiah must be one who can do the impossible. In this prophecy, we read that He will cure blindness and deafness by speaking the cure. The power was not in His speech; it is because He is creator. This prophecy was fulfilled many times.
When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples to ask him, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?’ “Jesus replied, ‘Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me (Matthew 11:2–6). Be thankful for a Messiah who can has this ability.
Posted by Choco in 2018 at 05:25
Labels: Advent, devotions
20 December 2018
Advent 20 Dec 18
“He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem” (Isaiah 53:3).
Matthew 26:67-68 GW Then they spit in his face, hit him with their fists, and some of them slapped him. 68 They said, “You Christ, if you’re a prophet, tell us who hit you. This was fulfilled many times. Why did He endure such suffering? It was to be the savior of the world. Be thankful that this savior can be yours.
Posted by Choco in 2018 at 05:51
Labels: Advent, devotions
22 December 2018
Advent for 22 Dec 18
“I told them, ‘If you think it best, give me my pay; but if not, keep it.’ So they paid me thirty pieces of silver. “And the Lord said to me, ‘Throw it to the potter’—the handsome price at which they valued me! So I took the thirty pieces of silver and threw them to the potter at the house of the Lord” (Zechariah 11:12–13).
Another specific prophecy with details. True prophecies contain details; fake prophecies are more general. “The chief priests picked up the coins and said, ‘It is against the law to put this into the treasury, since it is blood money.’ So they decided to use the money to buy the potter’s field as a burial place for foreigners. That is why it has been called the Field of Blood to this day. Then what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled: ‘They took the thirty pieces of silver, the price set on him by the people of Israel, and they used them to buy the potter’s field, as the Lord commanded me'” (Matthew 27:6–10). Judas Iscariot thought money was more important than doing right. Be thankful that Messiah always did what was right.
Posted by Choco in 2018 at 04:46
Labels: Advent, devotions
23 December 2018
Advent for 23 Dec 18
Exodus 12:46 GW “The meal must be eaten inside one house. Never take any of the meat outside the house. “Never break any of the bones. Psalms 34:20 GW The LORD guards all of his bones. Not one of them is broken.
This also was fulfilled: John 19:36 GW This happened so that the Scripture would come true: “None of his bones will be broken. It was common to break the bones of those crucified, because they could not push themselves up to take a breath. Messiah suffered for our sins as our Passover Lamb. 1 Peter 3:18 GW This is true because Christ suffered for our sins once. He was an innocent person, but he suffered for guilty people so that he could bring you to God. His body was put to death, but he was brought to life through his spirit. 1 Corinthians 5:7 GW Remove the old yeast of sin so that you may be a new batch of dough, since you don’t actually have the yeast of sin. Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. Be thankful for His suffering, so that we could have salvation.
Posted by Choco in 2018 at 04:57
Labels: Advent, devotions
24 December 2018
Advent for 24 Dec 18
Luke 1:26-35 NRSV In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, 27 to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” 29 But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. 30 The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. 33 He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” 34 Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” 35 The angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God.
Be thankful for Mary who was, according to the creed: yet as regards his manhood begotten, for us men and for our salvation, of Mary the Virgin, the God-bearer.
Posted by Choco in 2018 at 11:30
Labels: Advent, devotions
25 December 2018
Advent for 25 Dec 18
Luke 2:6-11 NRSV While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. 8 In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11 to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.
Messiah was born. The holy angels knew, the shepherds knew, the wise men knew, Joseph knew, Mary knew, and what about us? Do we know? I pray it is so.
Be thankful that our only hope was born.
Posted by Choco in 2018 at 06:08
Labels: Advent, devotions